FRANCISTOWN: Communal farmers in the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) ravaged Zone 6 in the north eastern part of the country are accusing government of deliberately relegating them into the jaws of abject poverty.Responding to the government's decision to kill an estimated 30,000 small stock (sheep and goats) in their area during a leadership and stakeholders' workshop on the FMD situation in Zone 6 here early this week, communal farmers said they are being condemned to poverty. They charged that government is subjecting them to a life of struggle instead of eradicating poverty among its citizenry.
"What is happening in our area is reminiscent of what transpired to the people of the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR)," said Obert Sechele, the chairperson of the Village Development Committee (VDC) of the border village of Jackalas I. "Instead of eradicating poverty in the Tati East constituency (in which Zone 6 area falls under), the government is actually worsening the situation on the ground," said an exasperated Sechele during the question and answer session.Tshesebe VDC chairperson, Daniel Moipolai said they came to the workshop with the anticipation of being advised about the progress in the restocking of their area with cattle.
